By 2nd Lt. Caitlin Carrington

Sixteen members of the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) visited with troops, observed training and got an up-close look at Stryker fighting vehicles and various helicopters during an Oct. 24, 2017, visit to Fort Carson.

BENS is a nonprofit organization with more than 400 business and industry leaders who volunteer their time and diverse areas of expertise to address the most pertinent issues affecting national security.

The BENS members met with Soldiers from Company C, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg., during the brigade’s culminating field training exercise, Operation Raider Storm. The members donned ear plugs to observe as Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st SBCT, conducted a company-level training lane run by Maj. Jeffrey Rottenberg, operations officer, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg. During the lanes execution, the BENS members listened in on the company’s radio and received explanations on aspects of the company’s tactics and equipment from Rone and Uthlaut.

Soldiers with the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, explain the capabilities of the RQ-11 Raven while a Business Executive for National Security member simulates launching the unmanned aerial system during an Oct. 24, 2017, visit. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Caitlin Carrington)

Once the lane was complete, members had the opportunity to look inside various platforms of Strykers.

“I think it is really cool that I used to go to military expos as a kid, and I think it’s so cool to now be able to show some civilians what we can do,” said Sgt. Peniel Reid, Stryker crewmember, 1st SBCT.

They also tried on equipment including body armor and helmets, got an up-close look at some weapon and reconnaissance systems and shared Meals Ready-to-Eat with the Soldiers.

“I think it’s good that people are coming out and care about what we do,” said Pvt. Zachary Haas, Stryker crewmember, 1st Platoon, Company C, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg. “I enjoyed getting to show off some of our capabilities.”

The BENS visitors left 1st SBCT with a good impression of today’s Soldiers.

“The professionalism and dedication of the force is simply amazing,” said Robert Smith, senior vice president of Booz Allen Hamilton, BENS member and retired lieutenant colonel.

The group continued its visit to Fort Carson with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., where it received a capabilities brief and viewed static displays of the AH-64D and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and the MQ-1C Grey Eagle and RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aircraft system. The members also received hands-on training in the aircraft simulators used for pilot and aircrew training on the UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook and Apache helicopters.